CHI07CA248

NTSB accident investigation · Beech B60 · Bismark, ND · August 1, 2007

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
August 1, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
Place
Bismark, ND
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N529RBeech B60
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 31, 2007
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Fargo, North Dakota FSDO
FAA report
20070801020089A
Case key
66536

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The improper fuel grade due to the improper fueling of the airplane by the fixed base operator, which led to the loss of engine power of both engines. A factor was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
2 enginesCause
Fuel supply - improperFbo personnelCause
Fluid,fuel grade - improperCause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
In flight collision with terrain/waterEmergency descent/landing
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encounteredFactor
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The airplane made a forced landing following a loss of power from both engines. The pilot reported that he had called the fixed base operator at the airport to have them pull his airplane out and to have 30 gallons of fuel added to each side. He stated that when he arrived at the airport, the fuel had already been added to the airplane. He stated that he performed a pre-flight examination of the airplane which included visual checks of the fuel which was blue in color, consistent with 100LL aviation gasoline. The pilot reported that the subsequent start-up, taxi and pre-takeoff checks were normal and he proceeded to takeoff. He stated that at about 32 inches of manifold pressure the left engine stumbled and he aborted the takeoff. After taxi back to the runway, the pilot performed another run-up and attempted another takeoff which again resulted in an aborted takeoff. The pilot stated that he then returned to the maintenance area where a mechanic boarded the airplane and a full power run-up was performed. No anomalies were noted during the full power run-up. After the mechanic deplaned, the pilot returned to the runway and was again cleared for takeoff. He stated that he entered the runway, held his brakes, and increased the power to 35 inches of manifold pressure. He stated that he checked the engine gauges and all were normal and he applied full power and proceeded to takeoff. After liftoff, the pilot noticed a fluctuation in the right engine's manifold pressure and he began a gradual left turn. He stated that the manifold pressure and fuel flow indications for both engines then began to fluctuate. The pilot's attempts to rectify the power fluctuations were unsuccessful and an eventual off-airport forced landing was made. The pilot reported that he had to maneuver the airplane to avoid trees, cars, houses and people during the forced landing. A fuel receipt from the fixed base operator revealed that the airplane had been fueled with aviation jet fuel.

Factual narrative

The airplane made a forced landing following a loss of power from both engines. The pilot reported that he had called the fixed base operator at the airport to have them pull his airplane out and to have 30 gallons of fuel added to each side. He stated that when he arrived at the airport, the fuel had already been added to the airplane. He stated that he performed a pre-flight examination of the airplane which included visual checks of the fuel which was blue in color, consistent with 100LL aviation gasoline. The pilot reported that the subsequent start-up, taxi and pre-takeoff checks were normal and he proceeded to take off. He stated that at about 32 inches of manifold pressure the left engine stumbled and he aborted the takeoff. After taxi back to the runway, the pilot performed another run-up and attempted another takeoff which again resulted in an aborted takeoff. The pilot stated that he then returned to the maintenance area where a mechanic boarded the airplane and a full power run-up was performed. No anomalies were noted during the full power run-up. After the mechanic deplaned, the pilot returned to the runway and was again cleared for takeoff. He stated that he entered the runway, held his brakes, and increased the power to 35 inches of manifold pressure. He stated that he checked the engine gauges and all were normal and he applied full power and proceeded to take off. After liftoff, the pilot noticed a fluctuation in the right engine's manifold pressure and he began a gradual left turn. He stated that the manifold pressure and fuel flow indications for both engines then began to fluctuate. The pilot's attempts to rectify the power fluctuations were unsuccessful and an eventual off-airport forced landing was made. The pilot reported that he had to maneuver the airplane to avoid trees, cars, houses and people during the forced landing. A fuel receipt from the fixed base operator revealed that the airplane had been fueled with aviation jet fuel.

Aircraft

Registration
N529R
Reported as
Beech B60
Category
Airplane
Serial number
529
Airframe hours
3,950
Engine
Lycoming TIO-541, 380 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Henry L. Reichert
Registered owner
Aviation Enterprises, LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · November 1, 2006 · 72 hours before
Departed
BIS · Bismark, ND
Destination
DTL · Detroit Lakes, MN
Flight plan
IFR

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
66
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
May 1, 2007
Seat
Left
Flight hours
7,100 total · 1,160 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.